Solar powered light assembly to produce light of varying colors

ABSTRACT

A garden light ( 10 ) having a body ( 11 ) with a post ( 12 ), the lower end of which is provided with a spike ( 13 ). The upper end of the post ( 12 ) receives a lens assembly ( 14 ). Secured to the lens assembly ( 14 ) is a cap assembly ( 24 ) that has three LEDs that are activated to produce a varying colour light.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/286,553 filed on Sep. 29, 2008, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/102,229 filed on Apr. 7, 2005, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,429,827, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/789,488, filed on Feb. 26, 2004, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,196,477, which claims priority to Australian Patent ApplicationNo. 2003271383, filed on Dec. 23, 2003, which are all incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to solar powered lights and moreparticularly but not exclusively to solar powered lights that produce alight of varying colour.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Light devices that employ light emitting diode (LED) systems to producea variable colour are known. Examples are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,459,919, 6,608,458, 6,150,774 and 6,016,038. It is also known to have“garden lights” that are solar powered. For example such garden lightsinclude a body providing a spike that is driven into a ground surface.At the upper end of the spike there is mounted a diffuser surrounding alamp, with the lamp being driven by rechargeable batteries and a solarcell.

The abovementioned lighting apparatus have a number of disadvantagesincluding difficulty in adjusting the various lighting functions and notproducing a uniform desired colour when required to do so.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantiallyameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is disclosed herein a lighting device to produce light of varyingcolour, said device including:

-   -   a body;    -   a lens mounted on the body and generally enclosing a chamber        having an upper rim surrounding a top opening, and a bottom        region;    -   a reflector mounted in the bottom region;    -   a cap assembly including securing means to releasably engage the        rim so that the cap assembly can be selectively removed from the        lens; said assembly including:    -   a base;    -   a circuit having at least two lamps of different colours which        are activated to produce a desired colour including a varying        colour, the lamps being mounted to direct light into said        chamber, a solar cell mounted on an exposed surface of the        assembly and rechargeable batteries to power the circuit, a        light sub-circuit connected to the lamps to deliver electric        power thereto so that the lamps produce said desired colour, and        a switch operable to deliver electric power from the batteries        and cell to said sub-circuit, the switch being exposed to        provide for access thereto by a user.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sensitive switch that rendersthe circuit operation at low light levels.

Preferably, said switch is on an exposed downwardly facing surface.

Preferably, said circuit includes three lamps, each of a differentcolour.

Preferably, said lens is a first lens, and said device includes a secondlens, said second lens being attached to said base and providing acavity into which the LEDs direct light, with the light leaving saidsecond lens then passing through said first lens.

Preferably, the first and second lenses diffuse light.

Preferably, said body includes a post having opposite first and secondends, with a spike attached to said first end, and said first lensattached to said second end.

Preferably, said second lens is detachably secured to said post.

Preferably, said switch is a first switch, and second sub-circuitincludes an integrated circuit and a second switch connected to saidintegrated circuit, the second switch being exposed to provide foraccess thereto by a user.

Preferably, said second switch activates said integrated circuit toselect a desired colour.

Preferably, said second switch is on said exposed surface.

There is further disclosed herein a lighting device to produce light ofvarying colour, said device including:

-   -   a body;    -   a lens mounted on the body and generally enclosing a chamber;    -   a circuit having at least two lamps of different colours to        produce a desired colour including a varying colour, the lamps        being mounted to direct light into said chamber, connections for        at least one rechargeable battery to power the circuit and a        solar cell mounted on an exposed surface of the assembly and        operatively associated with the connections to charge the        battery, and a switch operated to control delivery of electric        power from the battery to operate said circuit, the switch being        exposed to provide for access thereto by a user.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sensitive switch that rendersthe circuit operative at low light levels.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sub-circuit connected to thelamps to deliver electric power thereto so that the lamps produce saiddesired colour, with said switch being an on/off switch to deliverelectric power from the batteries to said sub-circuit.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sub-circuit having anintegrated circuit operable to select a desired fixed colour, with saidswitch being connected to said integrated circuit and operable to selectsaid desired fixed colour.

Preferably, said circuit includes a sub-circuit, said switch is a firstswitch said first switch being an on/off switch to deliver electricpower from the battery to said sub-circuit, and said sub-circuitincludes an integrated circuit and a second switch connected to saidintegrated circuit, the second switch being operable to select a desiredfixed colour and exposed to provide for access thereto by a user.

Preferably, said second switch is on said exposed external surface.

There is further disclosed a lighting device to produce light, saiddevice including:

-   -   a base;    -   a lens mounted on the base and generally enclosing a chamber;    -   a circuit having at least one lamp to produce a light, the lamp        being mounted to direct light into said chamber, connections for        at least one rechargeable battery to power the circuit and a        solar cell exposed to said chamber so as to receive light        passing through said lens and operatively associated with the        connections to charge the battery, and a primary switch operable        to control to operate said circuit;    -   a battery compartment including a cavity to receive said battery        and having said contacts;    -   a closure member attached to said compartment but movable        relative thereto to expose said cavity to provide for insertion        of said battery; and wherein    -   said switch is exposed to said cavity so that upon movement of        said closure member to expose said cavity, a user has access to        said switch to operate the switch.

Preferably, device has at least two lamps to produce light of a desiredcolour including a varying colour.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sensitive switch that rendersthe circuit operative at low light levels.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sub-circuit connected to thelamps to deliver electric power thereto so that the lamps produce saiddesired colour, with said switch being an on/off switch to deliverelectric power from the batteries to said sub-circuit.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sub-circuit having anintegrated circuit operable to select a desired fixed colour, with saidswitch being connected to said integrated circuit and operable to selectsaid desired fixed colour.

Preferably, said circuit includes a sub-circuit, said switch is a firstswitch said first switch being an on/off switch to deliver electricpower from the battery to said sub-circuit, and said sub-circuitincludes an integrated circuit and a second switch connected to saidintegrated circuit, the second switch being operable to select a desiredfixed colour and exposed to provide for access thereto by a user.

Preferably, said second switch is on said exposed external surface.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sub-circuit connected to thelamps to deliver electric power thereto so that the lamps produce saiddesired colour, with said primary switch being an on/off switch todeliver electric power from the batteries to said sub-circuit.

Preferably, said circuit includes a light sub-circuit having anintegrated circuit operable to select a desired fixed colour, with saidintegrated circuit being connected to a sub-circuit switch, thesub-circuit switch being operable to select said desired fixed colour.

Preferably, said circuit includes a sub-circuit, said primary switch isa first switch said first switch being an on/off switch to deliverelectric power from the battery to said sub-circuit, and saidsub-circuit includes an integrated circuit and a second switch connectedto said integrated circuit, the second switch being operable to select adesired fixed colour and exposed to provide for access thereto by auser.

Preferably, said second switch is exposed to said chamber.

Preferably, said lens is fixed to said battery compartment and saidbattery compartment threadably engages said closure member so thatrelative rotation between the closure member and said compartment movessaid closure member between an open position exposing said cavity and aclosed position closing said cavity.

Preferably, said closure member includes a socket, and said deviceincludes a spike engaged in said socket and projecting therefrom toprovide for the spike to be inserted in a ground surface so that thedevice is supported thereby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by wayof example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a lighting device;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectioned front elevation of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a moulding employed in the device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a base member of the device of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic to plan view of a cap assembly employed in thedevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic isometric view of a lens employed in the device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a schematic isometric view of a second lens employed in thedevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the circuit of the board of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of an ornamental garden light.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation of a further lighting device;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side elevation of the lens portion of the deviceof FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectioned side elevation of portion of the deviceof FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings there is schematicallydepicted a lighting device 10. The device 10 of this embodiment isconfigured as a “garden light”. The device 10 includes a body 11including a post 12 from the lower end from which there extends a spike13. The spike 13 is driven into a ground surface so that the post 12 isexposed above the ground surface.

Attached to the upper end of the post 12 is a lens assembly 14. The lensassembly 14 includes a lens 15 that encompasses a chamber 16. The lowerend of the lens 15 has fixed to it a “bayonet” fitting 17 that engages ashaft 18 fixed to the upper end of the post 12. The fitting 17 includesan “L” shaped slot 19 through which the shaft 18 passes to secure thelens assembly 14 to the upper end of the post 12.

The chamber 16 includes a lower portion 20 within which there is mountedan arcuate reflector 21 that is concave.

The lens 15 has a rim 22 surrounding the upper opening 23 of the lens15.

Removably attached to the rim 22 is a cap assembly 24. The assembly 24includes a cover 25 fixed to a base 26. The base 26 is located beneaththe cover 25 and is shielded thereby. The base 26 and cover 25 encompassa chamber 27 within which there is a mounted moulding 28. The moulding28 is provided with battery compartments 32. The components of thecircuit 29 are located within the chamber 27, while the upper surface ofthe assembly 27 is provided with the solar cell 30. The cell 30 isexposed through a central rectangular aperture 31 of the cap 25.

Mounted within the chamber 27 via battery compartments 32 arerechargeable batteries 33 which are used to energise three LEDs 34. TheLEDs 34 when illuminated produce red, green and blue light.

The cap assembly 24 is generally circular in configuration so as toprovide the device 10 with a generally vertical longitudinal axis 35.

The base 26 has radially inward projecting flange segments 36 thatengage with radially outward extending flange segments 37 of the rim 22to be secured thereto. By angular movement of the cap assembly 24 aboutthe axis 35, the segments 36 and 37 engage or disengage to secure or torelease the assembly 24 with respect to the lens 15. As can be notedfrom FIG. 5, the flange segments 37 have end abutment portions 38against which these segments 36 engage when the assembly 24 is securedto the lens 15.

As can be noted from FIG. 6, mounted on the under surface of the base 26is a second lens 38. Accordingly, the LEDs 34 when activated have theirlight preferably diffused by the lens 38 and then further diffused bythe lens 15. This in particular aids in producing a more evenly colouredlight when the LEDs 34 are activated.

The circuit 29 powers and controls the lighting device 10 in accordancewith an embodiment of this invention. The circuit 29 consists of anumber of interconnected sub-circuits, including a power supply circuit,a light operated circuit, a boost-up circuit, a rectifier circuit, and alight circuit.

The power supply circuit comprises a solar cell 30 connected in seriesto a forward biased diode 39, which is in turn connected to a positiveterminal of a battery 33. A negative terminal of the battery 33 is thenconnected to the solar cell 30 to complete the power supply circuit. Inthis example, the diode 39 is a model number IN5817 Schottky diode andthe battery comprises two rechargeable 1.2 volt battery cells. It willbe apparent to a person skilled in the art that other diode and batteryconfigurations may be utilised without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

When the solar cell 30 is exposed to sufficient light, the solar cellconverts some of the solar energy to electrical energy and creates acurrent that passes through the diode 39 to charge the battery 33. Thus,during the day the solar cell 30 converts energy from the sun to chargethe battery 33. The diode 39 prevents the battery 33 from expending anypower on the solar cell 30.

The power supply circuit is connected in parallel to the light operatedcircuit, which is connected across the terminals of the battery 33. Thepositive terminal of the battery 33 is connected to a switch 40, whichis in turn connected to a 100 kΩ first resistor 41. The first resistor41 is connected in series with a second, light-dependent resistor 42.The second resistor 42 connects to the negative terminal of thebatteries 33 to complete the light operated circuit. The value ofresistance of the second resistor 42 depends on the amount of light towhich the second resistor 42 is exposed. When there is not much light,such as occurs during the night, the value of the second resistor 42increases. During the daytime, when there is sufficient light, the valueof the second resistor 42 decreases. Accordingly the resistor 42 allowsthe lighting device to operate only when there is insufficient light, ienight.

The boost-up circuit is connected to the light operated circuit, inparallel with the first resistor 41 and the second, light-dependentresistor 42. A first circuit node 43 is defined between the switch 40and the first resistor 41. Connected to the node 43, is an emitterterminal of a first triode 44. A collector terminal of the first triode44 is connected in series with a 100 kΩ third resistor 45. The thirdresistor 45 is then connected to a point between the first resistor 41and the second resistor 42.

A 220 kΩ fourth resistor 46 is connected to node 43 across the emitterand base terminals of the first triode 44. In parallel with the fourthresistor 46, and also connected across the emitter and base terminals ofthe first triode 44, is a 4.7 nF first capacitor 48. Further connectedto node 43, across the emitter and base terminals of the first triode 44and in parallel with each of the fourth resistor 46 and the firstcapacitor 48, is a 100 μH inductor 49 in series with a 1 nF secondcapacitor 50. The second capacitor is then connected to the baseterminal of the first triode 44.

A 20 kΩ fifth resistor 51 is connected across the base and collectorterminals of the first triode 44. Connected across the terminals of thethird resistor 45 are the collector and base terminals, respectively, ofa second triode 52. The emitter terminal of the second triode 52 isconnected to the negative terminal of the batteries 33.

Connected between the inductor 49 and the second capacitor 50 is thecollector terminal of a third triode 53. The base terminal of the thirdtriode 53 is connected via an intermediary circuit to the collectorterminal of the second triode 52. The intermediary circuit consists of a2.4 kΩ fourth resistor 54 in parallel with a 1 nF third capacitor 55.The emitter terminal of the third triode 53 is connected to the negativeterminal of the battery 33.

Also connected between the inductor 49 and the second capacitor 50 isthe rectifier circuit. A forward biased second diode 56 is connected toa point between the inductor 49 and the second capacitor 50, and then toa positive terminal of a 33 μF fourth capacitor 57. The negativeterminal of the fourth capacitor 57 is connected to the negativeterminal of the battery 33. A second circuit node 58 is defined betweenthe second diode 56 and the fourth capacitor 57. Connected in parallelwith the fourth capacitor 57, between the second node 58 and thenegative terminal of the battery 33 is a reverse biased 4.5V third diode59. The second diode 56, the fourth capacitor 57 and the third diode 59comprise the rectifier circuit. Further connected to the second circuitnode 58, in parallel with each of the capacitor 57 and the reverse diode59, is a light circuit 60.

The light circuit 60 contains an integrated circuit (IC) 61 forcontrolling lighting effects provided by the lighting device 10. In theembodiments shown, the IC 61 is a 16-pin, three colour LED IC forcontrolling first, second and third light emitting diodes (LEDs) 34A,34B and 34C. Each of pins 1, 15 and 16 is connected in series torespective switches 69, 70, 71. Each of the switches 69, 70 and 71 isthen connected to the negative terminal of the battery 33. In oneembodiment, the switches 69, 70, 71 correspond to the LEDs 34A, 34B, and34C to enable or disable a particular colour range. In anotherembodiment, the switches 69, 70, 71 determine the frequency of a colourchanging effect. In a further embodiment, the switches 69, 70, 71determine the intensity of light emitted by each of the LEDs 34A, 34B,and 34C. Various combinations of the frequency and intensity of lightare also possible. The switches 69, 70, 71 can be made accessible to auser to create custom lighting effects. Alternatively, the switches 69,70, 71 are set according to a predetermined configuration and are notreadily accessible by a user.

Pin 4 of the IC 61 enables an optional pause function. In thisembodiment, pin 4 connects to a push button 65 that is, in turn,connected to the negative terminal of the batteries 33. Pin 3 of the IC61 connects to the second circuit node 58.

Connected to the second circuit node 58, and in parallel with oneanother, are the first second and third forward biased light emittingdiodes (LEDs) 34A, 34B and 34C. The first LED 34A is connected in serieswith a sixth resistor 66 that is connected to pin 13 of the IC 61. Thesecond LED 34B is connected in series with a seventh resistor 67 that isconnected to pin 12 of the IC 61. The third LED 34C is connected inseries with an eighth resistor 68 that is connected to pin 11 of the IC61. In this example, the first LED 34A is blue, the second LED 34B isgreen and the third LED 34C is red.

Pins 6 and 8 of the IC 61 are tied to one another via a ninth resistor72, which in the embodiment shown is a 20 kΩ resistor. The valve of theninth resistor 72 determines the frequency of a colour change created bythe IC 61. Accordingly, using different resistor valves for the ninthresistor 72 produces colour changes of different frequencies. Pin 9 ofthe IC 61 is tied to the negative terminal of the battery 33.

During the day, the solar cell 30 charges the battery 33. The value ofthe second resistor 42 is low and, consequently, small amounts ofcurrent flow through the boost-up circuit, rectifier circuit and lightcircuit. As night falls, the amount of energy converted by the solarcell 30 decreases. The resistance of the second resistor 42 increasesand more current flows into the boost-up circuit, rectifier circuit andlight circuit. This activates the LEDs 34A, 34B, and 34C in the lightcircuit and the light device 10 produces a changing light effect.

The integrated circuit 61 controls each of the first, second and thirdLEDs 34A, 34B, and 34C to produce a changing light effect for the lightdevice 10. The integrated circuit varies the frequency and intensity oflight emitted by the LEDs 34A, 34B, and 34C to produce a constantlychanging kaleidoscopic effect. The light device 10 displays a constantlychanging lighting effect that cycles through the light spectrum byramping up and ramping down the intensity of light displayed by the LEDs34A, 34B, and 34C.

Connecting the optional pause function of pin 4 of the IC 61 to the pushbutton 65 enables a user to stop the changing light effect and maintaina constant colour. In this manner, a user can select a preferred colourfor a lighting effect. The user observes the changing colour effect andwhen a desired colour is displayed, the user depresses the pause button65.

The colour displayed at the time that the button is pressed then remainson. Preferably, the circuit retains sufficient charge such that a userselected colour is retained during the day and is displayed again whenthe light is reactivated the following evening. In this manner, the userdoes not have to reselect a desired colour each night. To reinstate thechanging light effect, the user presses the push button 65 again and thechanging light effect resumes.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the battery 33 powers the lightcircuit 60 during the night to produce light of varying colours and theuser can optionally select a desired colour by pushing the push button65. A selected colour is retained by memory in the IC 61. The memory maybe a switch. Whilst the battery is powering the light circuit 60, thefourth capacitor 57 stores charge. As stated above, it is desirable fora selected colour to be retained and displayed on successive nights. Asthe battery 33 discharges, the output voltage of the battery 33decreases. When the output voltage of the battery 33 is less than thestored voltage of the capacitor 57, the capacitor 57 discharges. Due tothe presence and arrangement of the diodes 56 and 59, the capacitor 57discharges through the light circuit 60.

The IC 61 preferably includes a cut-off circuit that is voltagedependent. As the capacitor 57 discharges, the voltage across thecut-off circuit decreases. Once the voltage across the cut-off circuitreaches a predetermined threshold value, the cut-off circuit preventsfurther power being consumed by the LEDs. As no power is being consumedby the light circuit 60, the capacitor 57 retains a residual charge. Theresidual charge maintains a voltage across the IC 61, which enables theselected colour to be retained by the memory in the IC 61.

During the next day, the solar cell 30 recharges the battery 33. Asnight falls, the resistance of resistor 42 again increases and thebattery 33 provides sufficient power to the light circuit 60 to increasethe voltage across the cut-off circuit above the predetermined thresholdvalue. The LEDs are activated and the selected colour, as retained inthe memory of the IC 61, is displayed. The voltage provided by thebattery 33 is more than the stored charge of the fourth capacitor 57, sothe capacitor 57 again begins to store charge.

It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that thereare many circuit variations possible for enabling and controlling thelighting display, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The switch 40 and/or switch 65 is/are mounted on the base 26 so as to beon a downwardly facing external surface of the base 26. This enables auser to control the device via readily accessible switches, withoutneeding to remove the cap assembly 24. The switches 40 and 65 are eachoperable to control delivery of electric power from the batteries to theLEDs 34A, 34B and 34C. The circuit 29 is only rendered operative whenthere is insufficient light, that is, by operation of a light sensitiveswitch, ie the diode 43.

The embodiment of FIG. 10 includes an ornamental garden light 73 havinga body or base 74. The base 74 would be at least partly hollow so as tocontain the circuitry of FIG. 9, except for the solar cell 30. The solarcell 30 would be mounted so as to be exposed to sunlight. The switches40 and 65 would be mounted at an external surface of the base 74.

The switch 40 and/or switch 65 would be mounted on an external surfaceof the base 74, while the diode 42 would be exposed to sunlight.

The base 74 includes a spherical lens 75 secured to a horizontal portion76 of the base 74. The horizontal portion 76 would have mounted in itthe LEDs 34A, 34B and 34C so as to deliver light to the interior of thelens 75.

In FIGS. 11 to 13 there is schematically depicted a lighting device 100that is a modification of the previously described lighting devices.

The lighting device 100 employs the circuit of FIG. 9.

In this embodiment, the lighting device 100 includes a lens 101 ofgenerally spherical form consisting of a lower portion 102 fixed to anupper portion 103. A skirt 104 abuts the lower portion 102.

The base 106 includes a battery compartment 110 providing a cavity 111within which a battery holder 112 is located and supports the batteries33. The battery compartment 110 is closed by a closure member 109 thatacts as a cap or lid closing the cavity 111. The member 109 includes apad 113 that abuts the batteries 33 to aid in retaining them inposition.

A spike 105 extending from the closure member 109 and is provided topenetrate an earth surface to secure the device 100 in position.

The member 109 has a socket 107 within which the upper portion of thespike 105 is slidably received. The spike 105 engages the skirt 104 andholds the skirt 104 abutting the lower portion 102.

Flanges 108 extend from the socket 107 and are fixed to an upper flange120 of the closure member 109 to reinforce the socket 107.

The lens 101 encloses a chamber 114 to which the solar cell 30 isexposed so that the solar cell 30 receives light through the lens 101.Located adjacent the solar cell 30 but not illustrated is a circuitboard having the circuit 29.

Mounted on the battery compartment 110 are the LEDs 34 a, 34 b and 34 cthat are protected by means of a translucent diffuser 115.

Mounted on the battery compartment 110 is the switch 40 and/or switch 65of the circuit 29.

The battery compartment 110 includes a generally circular internallythreaded flange 116 that threadably engages a circular flange 117 of thebase 106.

In respect of the above preferred embodiment, the battery compartment110 is integrally formed with the lower portion 102 and engages the base106 by means of an annular seal 118 to sealingly connect the base 106 tothe battery compartment 110.

To provide access to the batteries 33 and switches 40 and 65, the lens101 is rotated about the axis 119 relative to the base 106 so there isrelative movement between the flanges 116 and 117. This relativemovement removes the base 106 from the lens 101. Accordingly a user maythen manipulate the switches 40 and 65.

In the above embodiment, the member 109 is moved relative to the base106 from a closed position, relative to the cavity 111, to at least apartly open position providing access to the switches 40 and 65.

1. A lighting device, said device including: a lens; a circuitcomprising: at least two light sources of different colors mounted todirect light through at least part of said lens; an activationsub-circuit to provide power to said light sources only at low lightlevels; a light sub-circuit to independently control delivery of powerto each of said at least two light sources so as to ramp up and rampdown intensity of light emitted over time by said at least two lightsources to produce a color changing cycle of more than two colors;connections for at least one rechargeable battery to power said circuit;and at least one solar cell mounted so as to be exposed to light andoperatively associated with said connections to charge said battery. 2.The lighting device of claim 1, further comprising a spike forpositioning said connections above a ground surface.
 3. The lightingdevice of claim 1, wherein said light sub-circuit further independentlycontrols delivery of power to each of said light sources so as to varyfrequency of changes to said intensity.
 4. The lighting device of claim1, wherein said lens is a first lens generally forming a chamber andfurther comprising a second lens generally forming a cavity and whereinsaid at least two light sources are mounted to direct light into saidchamber via said cavity such that said light produced by said at leasttwo light sources is at least partially diffused by said second lens andthen said first lens.
 5. The lighting device of claim 4, wherein saidsecond lens projects at least partially into said chamber.
 6. Thelighting device of claim 4, further including a lens assembly comprisesa base, said first lens and said second lens, and wherein said secondlens is attached to said base, and wherein said base is removablyattached to said first lens.
 7. The lighting device of claim 6, whereinsaid circuit is at least partially contained in said base.
 8. Thelighting device of claim 1, further comprising at least oneuser-operated switch operable to control said circuit, with said atleast one switch being accessible by said user thereby enabling saiduser to manipulate said at least one switch to control delivery of powerto said at least two light sources.
 9. The lighting device of claim 8,further comprising a sealed chamber generally formed by said lens andwherein said at least one switch is located outside said chamber. 10.The lighting device of claim 8, wherein said light sub-circuit deliverselectric power so that said at least two light sources produce aconstant color, with said at least one switch being a first switch, andsaid circuit includes a second switch, said second switch being anon/off switch to deliver electric power from said at least onerechargeable battery to said sub-circuit.
 11. The lighting device ofclaim 10, wherein said first switch is accessible via an exposedexternal surface.
 12. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein said atleast one switch is a first switch, and said circuit includes a secondswitch, said second switch being an on/off switch to deliver electricpower from said at least one rechargeable battery to said sub-circuit,and wherein said sub-circuit further comprises an integrated circuitwherein said first switch is connected to said integrated circuit, saidfirst switch being operable to select a constant color.
 13. The lightingdevice of claim 8, further comprising: a base; a battery compartmentattached to said base to receive said at least one battery; and whereinsaid at least one switch is exposed to said battery compartment toprovide for operation thereof by said user, and said lens is attached tosaid battery compartment, with said lens and compartment being removablyattached to said base to provide access to said compartment by said userand therefore to said at least one switch.
 14. The lighting device ofclaim 13, wherein said lens and said battery compartment are removablyattached to said base by relative rotation therebetween.
 15. Thelighting device of claim 13, wherein said battery compartment and saidlens are threadably attached to said base with relative rotationtherebetween providing for removal and attachment of said lens andcompartment with respect to said base.
 16. The lighting device of claim8 further comprising a body upon which said circuit is mounted, saidbody providing a closable battery compartment to receive said at leastone battery, and wherein said at least one switch is mounted on saidbody so as to be exposed to said closable battery compartment so that auser has access thereto by opening said closable battery compartment.17. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein said light sub-circuitvaries said power to each of said at least two light sources so as tovary both the intensity of said light emitted by each of said at leasttwo light sources and the frequency of changes to the intensity toproduce a continuously color changing cycle.
 18. The lighting device ofclaim 1, wherein any one of said at least two light sources is a singlediode that emits light when energized, and wherein said at least twolight sources comprise at least a diode that emits red light and a diodethat emits blue light.
 19. The lighting device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a chamber generally formed by said lens; an at leastpartially hollow base, wherein said base is removably secured to saidlens and said circuit is at least partially contained in said base; andwherein said at least two light sources are mounted to direct light intosaid chamber such that said light produced by said at least two lightsources is at least partially diffused by said lens.
 20. The lightingdevice of claim 1, wherein said at least two light sources are at leastthree light sources and said more than two colors are more than threecolors.
 21. The lighting device of claim 8, wherein said lightsub-circuit delivers electric power so that said at least two lightsources produce a desired fixed color, with said at least one switchbeing a first switch, and said circuit includes a second switch, saidsecond switch being an on/off switch to deliver electric power from saidat least one rechargeable battery to said sub-circuit.
 22. The lightingdevice of claim 8, wherein said at least one switch is disposable in afirst configuration wherein at least one of said at least two lightsources produce a constant color, and a second configuration whereinsaid at least two light sources produce varying colors.
 23. The lightingdevice of claim 8, wherein said at least one switch is accessible via anexposed external surface.
 24. The lighting device of claim 2, furthercomprising: a body wherein said lens is mounted on said body and whereinsaid lens generally encloses a chamber having an upper rim surrounding atop opening, and a bottom region; a cap assembly including securingmeans to releasably engage said rim so that said cap assembly can beselectively removed from said lens; said cap assembly including saidconnections and said at least one solar cell; and at least oneuser-operated switch operable to control said circuit, with said atleast one switch being accessible by said user thereby enabling saiduser to manipulate said at least one switch to control delivery of powerto said at least two light sources.
 25. The lighting device of claim 24,wherein said body includes a post for positioning said lens above aground surface.
 26. The lighting device of claim 2, further comprising apost for positioning said lens above a ground surface.
 27. The lightingdevice of claim 8, wherein said at least two light sources furthercomprise at least a diode that emits green light and wherein said atleast two light sources are connected in series to an integrated circuitsuch that the frequency of changes in color and the intensity level ofcolor produced by said at least two light sources is set in apredetermined configuration.
 28. The lighting device of claim 1, whereinsaid, wherein any one of said at least two light sources is a singlediode that emits light when energized, and wherein said at least twolight sources comprise at least a diode that emits a first coloredlight, a diode that emits a second colored light and a diode that emitsa third colored light and wherein said at least two light sources areconnected in series to an integrated circuit such that said sub-circuitproduces at least a fourth colored light.
 29. The lighting device ofclaim 1, further comprising an assembly, wherein said assembly includes:a base; a cover fixed to said base; at least one battery compartmentdisposed within said base, wherein said battery is disposed within saidbattery compartment during use; said connections proximate to saidbattery; said at least one solar cell mounted on a surface of said base;and wherein said assembly is connected to said lens and positioned apredetermined distance above said lens in a generally verticallongitudinal axis and wherein said cover shields at least part of saidlens from above.
 30. The lighting device of claim 1, further comprisinga post for elevating said lens above a ground surface.
 31. The lightingdevice of claim 1, wherein said color changing cycle includes a spectrumof colors including at least a first color, a second color, and a thirdcolor and wherein said at least two light sources includes a first lightsource having said first color and a second light source having saidsecond color, and wherein said color changing cycle includes a thirdcolor produced by said first light source and said second light source.32. The lighting device of claim 31, further comprising a spike forpositioning said connections above a ground surface.
 33. The lightingdevice of claim 31, further comprising a post for positioning said lensabove a ground surface.
 34. The lighting device of claim 31, furthercomprising at least one user-operated switch operable to control saidcircuit, with said at least one switch being accessible by said userthereby enabling said user to manipulate said at least one switch tocontrol delivery of power to said at least two light sources.
 35. Alighting device, said device comprising: a lens; a circuit comprising:at least two light sources of different colors mounted to direct lightthrough at least part of said lens, an activation sub-circuit to providepower to said light sources only at low light levels, a lightsub-circuit to control delivery of power to each of said at least twolight sources so as to vary the color of light emitted by said lens,wherein said light sub-circuit has at least one integrated circuit forindependently controlling said light sources, a selection switchconnected to said at least one integrated circuit and operable to selecta desired fixed color of light emitted via said lens, a volatile memoryretained for a period of time and associated with said at least oneintegrated circuit, said memory causing operation of said circuit toproduce said desired fixed color of light, connections for at least onerechargeable battery to power said circuit; and at least one solar cellmounted so as to be exposed to light and operatively associated withsaid connections to charge said battery.
 36. The lighting device ofclaim 35, wherein said memory is a switch.
 37. The lighting device ofclaim 35, wherein said memory forms a portion of said at least oneintegrated circuit.
 38. The lighting device of claim 35, wherein saidlight sub-circuit is connected to said light sources to deliver electricpower thereto, so that said light sources produce said desired color.39. The lighting device of claim 35, further comprising an on/off switchoperable to control delivery of electric power from said battery to saidsub-circuit.
 40. The lighting device of claim 35, further comprising: avoltage cut-off sub-circuit, wherein said cut-off sub-circuit interruptsdelivery of power to said light sources, upon a voltage in said cut-offsub-circuit reaching a predetermined threshold.
 41. The lighting deviceof claim 40, wherein said voltage cut-off sub-circuit forms a portion ofsaid integrated circuit.
 42. The lighting device of claim 40, whereinsaid circuit further comprises: a capacitor, wherein said capacitor isarranged to store charge when an output voltage of said battery isgreater than a stored charge on said capacitor and to discharge chargewhen said output voltage of said battery is lower than said storedcharge.
 43. The lighting device of claim 42, wherein said voltagecut-off sub-circuit prevents said capacitor from discharging furtherstored charge, upon a voltage in said cut-off sub-circuit reaching apredetermined threshold, such that a retained stored charge on saidcapacitor provides sufficient voltage to said memory to retain theselected desired color for a period of time.
 44. The lighting device ofclaim 43, wherein said retained stored charge is substantially zerovolts.
 45. A lighting device, said device comprising: a lens; a circuitcomprising: at least two light sources of different colors mounted todirect light through at least part of said lens, an activationsub-circuit to provide power to said at least two light sources only atlow light levels, a light sub-circuit to control delivery of power toeach of said at least two light sources so as to vary light emitted bysaid lens, wherein said light sub-circuit has at least one integratedcircuit for independently controlling said light sources, a selectionswitch, said selection switch being connected to said at least oneintegrated circuit and operable to select a desired lighting effect, anda volatile memory retained for a period of time and associated with saidat least one integrated circuit, said memory causing operation of saidcircuit to produce said lighting effects; and connections for at leastone rechargeable battery to power said circuit.
 46. The lighting deviceof claim 45, wherein said lighting effect is selected from a group oflighting effects consisting of: a specific color changing effect, acolor brightness effect, a color changing frequency effect, a colorchanging sequence effect, and a color light intensity effect.
 47. Alighting device, said device comprising: a lens; a circuit including: atleast two electrical light sources of different colors mounted to directlight through at least part of said lens; an activation sub-circuit toprovide power to said electrical light sources only at low ambient lightlevels; a light sub-circuit to independently control delivery of powerto each of said at least two electrical light sources so as to vary theperceived intensity of light emitted over time by said at least twoelectrical light sources to produce a color changing cycle of more thantwo colors; connections for at least one rechargeable battery to powersaid circuit; and at least one solar cell mounted so as to be exposed tosunlight and electrically connected to said connections to charge saidat least one rechargeable battery. at least one user-operated switchoperable to control said circuit, with said at least one switch beingaccessible by said user thereby enabling said user to manipulate said atleast one switch to control delivery of power to said at least twoelectrical light sources.
 48. A lighting device, said device comprising:a lens; a circuit including: at least two electrical light sources ofdifferent colors mounted to direct light through at least part of saidlens wherein said at least two electrical light sources include an atleast first electrical light source that emits a first color and an atleast second electrical light source that emits a second color; anactivation sub-circuit to provide power to said at least two electricallight sources only at low ambient light levels; a light sub-circuit toindependently control delivery of power to each of said at least twoelectrical light sources so as to ramp up and ramp down the perceivedintensity of light emitted over time by said at least two electricallight sources to produce a color changing cycle that includes a portionof a color spectrum having at least said first color, said second color,and a third color produced by said at least first electrical lightsource and said at least second electrical light source; connections forat least one rechargeable battery to power said circuit; and at leastone solar cell mounted so as to be exposed to sunlight and electricallyconnected to said connections to charge said at least one rechargeablebattery.
 49. A lighting device to produce light of varying color, saiddevice comprising: a lens; a circuit including: at least two lamps ofdifferent colors mounted to direct light through at least part of saidlens wherein said at least two lamps include at least a first lamp thatemits a first color and at least a second lamp that emits a secondcolor; an activation sub-circuit to provide power to said at least twolamps only at low ambient light levels; a light sub-circuit toindependently control delivery of power to each of said at least twolamps so as to vary the perceived intensity of light emitted over timeby said at least two lamps to produce a continuous color changing cyclethat includes a portion of a color spectrum having at least said firstcolor, said second color, and at least a third color produced by saidfirst lamp and said second lamp; connections for at least onerechargeable battery to power said circuit; and at least one solar cellmounted so as to be exposed to light and electrically connected to saidconnections to charge said at least one rechargeable battery.